AWARDS

THE JUDGES

International design luminaries cast an eye toward the best projects and ideas of the year.

DESIGNER

French creator, designer, and architect Philippe Starck is world-famous for his iconic creations—more than 10,000 works either completed or in the making. From everyday products such as furniture and lemon squeezers to revolutionary mega-yachts, windmills, electric bikes, hotels, and restaurants, he crafts stimulating and intensely vibrant places and things that aspire to be wondrous. An untiring and rebellious citizen of the world, Starck considers it his duty to share his ethical and subversive vision of a fairer planet, and to create unconventional designs whose aim is to be “good,” not merely beautiful. Starck's impact on 20th century design cannot be overstated.

DESIGNER

French creator, designer, and architect Philippe Starck is world-famous for his iconic creations—more than 10,000 works either completed or in the making. From everyday products such as furniture and lemon squeezers to revolutionary mega-yachts, windmills, electric bikes, hotels, and restaurants, he crafts stimulating and intensely vibrant places and things that aspire to be wondrous. An untiring and rebellious citizen of the world, Starck considers it his duty to share his ethical and subversive vision of a fairer planet, and to create unconventional designs whose aim is to be “good,” not merely beautiful. Starck's impact on 20th century design cannot be overstated.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Ingo Maurer has designed exceptional lamps, lighting systems, and objects since the mid-1960s. For more than four decades, Maurer’s exceedingly artistic light fixtures have represented the leading edge of contemporary lighting. A designer’s designer, Maurer infuses whimsy—and often surrealism—into his work in a way that still achieves sophistication in its utmost form. Weaving together innovative technology, philosophy, and art, Maurer's lighting designs transcend their functions to achieve what few designers can: a sublime experience.

INTERIOR DESIGNER

World-renowned interior designer Vicente Wolf has worked at the top of the Manhattan design industry for over 35 years. He has been recognized as one of the “ten most influential designers in the United States” by House Beautiful and has been inducted into the Designer Hall of Fame by Interior Design magazine. From the spacious light-filled loft in New York City where his company is headquartered, Wolf and his team build on his passion for design, guided by values of integrity and simplicity. Wolf’s many creative endeavors include interior design, product design, photography, art collection, and global travel. His portfolio of design projects range from multinational conglomerates to private homes, and from hotels and restaurants to product design.

ARCHITECT

Since 1982, Deborah Berke Partners has created a body of work with a distinct and lasting character. In 2016, Berke, one of the firm’s three partners, became the first woman to be appointed Dean of the School of Architecture at Yale University. In 2013, she received the first Berkeley-Rupp award, given by the University of California at Berkeley to an architect who has advanced the position of women in the profession, and whose work emphasizes a commitment to sustainability and the community. She is on the boards of the James Howell Foundation and the Yaddo Artists’ Residency.

DESIGN STUDIO

Led by principals and founders Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht, Commune is a Los Angeles-based design studio with a reputation for holistic work across the fields of architecture, interior design, graphic design, product design, and brand management. The firm has designed residential, commercial and hospitality projects worldwide, a wide array of home and lifestyle products, and graphic and branding concepts for the fashion, arts, and entertainment industries. In 2014, Commune published its first monograph, Commune: Designed in California. In 2015, Commune received a Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Interior Design.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

James Corner is the founding partner and CEO of James Corner Field Operations, a leading-edge landscape architecture and urban design studio based in New York City. His 30-year body of work is renowned for innovative and bold design across a variety of project types, with a special commitment to the design of dynamic public spaces in cities. Among his most notable projects are New York’s highly acclaimed High Line; London’s South Park Plaza at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park; Chicago’s Navy Pier; Philadelphia’s Race Street Pier; and Shenzhen’s city of Qianhai, a new coastal city for 3 million people. He was named by TIME as one of “Ten Most Influential Designers,” and by Fast Company as one of the “Top 50 Innovators.”

FASHION

Olivia Kim is the Vice President of Creative Projects at Nordstrom. Kim introduces customers to the best up-and-coming brands and new talent through curated partnerships and brand boutiques such as the Pop-In@Nordstrom series, SPACE, and The Lab. Prior to joining Nordstrom in 2013, Kim was a founding member and Vice President of Creative at Opening Ceremony. Kim is a long-time champion of emerging designers and throughout her career has played an essential role in launching designers such as Suno, Pamela Love, and Patrik Ervell, which is evident in her brand selections in SPACE and Pop-In shops (where you might find Brother Vellies sitting next to Rodarte). In 2015, Kim was selected to join the prestigious ANDAM jury, which supports young designers.